vaio VGN-FZ18M Driver for Geforce 8400M GT is not compatible.

I have a Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18M Laptop (Running Vista Home Premium) which I would like to update to Windows 7 Ultimate.

On running MS compatibility Checker it points out that the Driver for Geforce 8400M GT is not compatible.

When I try to find a new driver via NVIDIA I keep being referred to Sony who seem to have washed their hands of the problem See reply message below.

Can you point me at a driver that will work with Windows 7 or has anyone updated to Windows 7 with this Geforce 8400M GT driver and had any success.

I seem to be going round in circles trying to find a solution.

i.e. NVIDIA say go to Sony and SONY say go to NVIDIA

I note from searching the net that there are many people out there with Vaio FZ models having similar problems and that Sony seem to have created upgrades for quiet a number of their models but have stated “Please note that your computer is not eligible for the Upgrade to Windows 7.”

This I find disgraceful for a Company to completely wash its hands of supporting a machine that is barely 2 years old and the fact the New OS from MS is seen as an industry standard which they will be delivering in future. They refer to it as 3rd Party Software which their reply would infer they are not going to support in their machines. I wonder if that applies to their latest models???

Please help

Regards

John Perkins

BELOW Message received from Sony support which says I need to request the driver from NVIDIA

Thank you for your reply.

Please note that we only provide updates for the original operating system. Furthermore, the ones that we provide come directly from Nvidia themselves, after which we test them and provide them to our customers.

Given that Windows 7 is a 3rd party operating system, you will need to request this updated driver from nVidia themselves.

Should you have any further queries, please don't hesitate to reply at your own convenience.

Regards,

Pedro

Sony Vaio-Link Team

 

Don't worry about it.

Just install win7. Then force the driver installation (I can help you with this).
It should work (but don't blame me if it doesn't, I'm just trying to help). Even if you have to mod the registry with rivatuner.

Just back up all of your data first.


EDIT: FYI you can use vista drivers with win 7. Also download the driver from here:
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/drivers

And one last thing, your 8400m has the known faulty g86 core, so keep it cool and make sure you have a long warranty.

 

Thanks

You have made me feel as though it can be done!

I don't work with a Blame culture so no Probs there.
When you say force the driver install can you give me a few clues?

Also would you download and install the new driver Before or after the Upgrade to W 7?

 

Install the driver after you upgrade.

If you run the driver setup and it fails, then extract the exe file with a program called 7zip (free download). Once 7zip is installed, right click on the driver setup file >7zip>extract files...

Then go to device manager and install the driver manually using the extracted .inf file.

 

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit and am using Nvidia version 186.91. It's been a while since I downloaded it but I thing it came from Laptopvideo2go. You do not need to modify the driver but you do need to get the ini file from the folder within the driver file after you unpack it. I am using an FZ-480 and it runs everything I have tryed incuding Blu-ray movies. It also shows that it won't work in the compatiblity checker but it runs fine.

Harold

 

Ok

I upgraded to W7 and the system started but worked on a driver dated 11/01.2008 (7.15.11.6760) but previous to the upgrade was using a driver dated 29/09/2009 (8.16.11.8762). I followed Moral Hazard's instructions, downloaded the 195.81 driver and .inf file from http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/drivers. Moved the .inf file into the unpacked folder (over writing the original that was with the driver). I then ran the Application but it failed and left me with a system that had NO driver at all. I ran System restore which took me back to the 11/01.2008 driver.

I then forced the install from Device Manager and it ran fine installing the driver. The system is now working with the following problems.

1 In Control Panel, the Nvidia Control Panel Icon , when selected, faults with the following message:-

The Nvidia display panel extension cannot be created.

Possible reasons, version mismatch, reinstalling display drivers may solve the problem.

Click OK and the following appears:-
Runtime error
Program: C:\windows\system32\nvcplu1.exe

This application has requested the runtime to terminate it in an unusual way

Please contact the application support team for more information

You then click OK and the following appears

Nvidia control panel application 1.5.1000.00 has stopped working.

The system then closes the program and returns to the control panel.

Any one have a solution to this.

2 The other point I have noticed is the system now takes much longer to boot up! Not sure if that is related to the new driver?

 

I was not expecting that.

Can you try re-installing the driver?

Are you running the 64-bit version of win7?

 

Hi

I have re-installed again but no change.

I am running the 32 - bit version

I can make some adjustments using the right click on Desk Top. Is this conected?

 

I don't know.

Are you using a win7 driver?

If so, try using a vista driver (they work fine with win7).

EDIT:
Also try un-installing the driver, then use ccleaner (free download) to clean up what's left.
Then re-install the driver.

 

The driver I used wes labeled for Win 7/Vista.

I uninstalled, Ran CCleaner reinstalled but the result was the same.

I tried this process with a number of different drivers but still got the same response when tying to access the Control Panel.

I reverted back to the 167.60 driver that Sony approve and it all worked fine. Despite the Upgrade software saying it is not compatible!!!

It looks like it is something to do with not being Digitally Signed.

All seems to be working at present even though I may not have the latest driver!

Fingers Crossed

 

Does your brightness control work AFTER you wake from sleep mode?

Gary

 

Gary

Yes the Brightness control works fine
The full version number for the driver is 7.15.11.6760 and it is dated 11/01/2008.

It is one of the original installed from a Vaio update

 

I'd rather lose the use of two keys and use a current driver, especially when the Windows key + X key gives the same option. I'm using 195.62.

 

The brightness keys work fine with the 195.62 driver and the latest Sony utilities, with my 64-bit Windows 7 and FZ-190.

 

Which is the latest one?

 

Refer my guide.

 

I did, every last page, which is why I asked.

 

All of the drivers and utilities are listed in his guide.

Gary

 

Where in your guide can I find the update to the Sony Utilities DLL?​

 

Sony doesn't provide an update for this utilities DLL. Moreover this dll doesn't work with 64-bit. The Sony utilities DLL are now part of Sony shared library. Again read my guide in detail.

 

Still not working, oh well, it's not like ever used it anyway, and Win key + x gives me the option.

 

i am too nervous to install 7 so i am waiting to hear that someone solved the problem before i proceed. do i understand correctly that your system is working correctly with 7 now? and where did you get the Driver that finally ended up working? thanks for your help!

 

Just do an inplace upgrade to Win7. It works GREAT and there is no issue at all wth the drivers. See the link in my signature line for a detailed description.

Gary

 

I have a working system.

I installed Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit update version. Previously had Vista Home premium

Before I ran the update

I ensured all the windows updates had been applied.
Ran any updates from Sony ( http://genesis.sony-europe.com/inst...ce/search.jsp?DocId=41910&l=en_GB&m=VGN-FZ18M )

I backed up all my files and did a clean up of the system. Defrag, Error check, Disk Cleanup etc.
The driver was one that originally was installed & I assume it was part of a Vaio Update.

To check it is there
Windows Control Panel
Device Manager
Display adapters
Nvidia Geforce 8400m GT
Driver
(Now check existing driver details. The one I have found works is dated 11/01/2008 Version 7.15.11.6760)

If that is the one you have it installed.
If not check to see if it is available.

Update Driver
Browse My Computer
Let me pick Etc

You should then see all the drivers installed on your machine.
If it is installed select it and follow the prompts.

If it is not there then you will need to download it from - http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/downloads/updates/index.aspx?l=en_GB&m=VGN-FZ18M

It should install OK

No guarantees but it is working for me

You can download the driver either before you move to Windows 7 or after.

Good luck

John P

PS
ScuderiaConchiglia's message above I agree with. The update worked fine for me and the later driver I use also seems to be fine.

 

There are a lot of people at sevenforums that have experienced issues with upgrading. I suggest a clean install. Windows 7 x64 runs perfect for me, sure I've lost the use of brightness control via pressing FN, but it's not an issue, and I think my biggest problem is because I don't want to install a load of Sony software to get them working.

 

You do realize that in most forums only the folks who have had trouble are the ones who post. Having said that, there are reports (not unlike mine) of folks who had no issues whatsoever in doing an inplace upgrade. There is little harm in trying it since it takes about an hour. If you wind up with issues, you can still do the clean install, right?

Sure is a LOT easier than a clean install and then having to reinstall and reconfigure all your apps. For me, I was looking at the better part of three days to accomplish all of that. As it turned out i was up and running in short order.

Gary

 

Obviously, but one guy today said his update took 36 hours, when he could have just clean installed loaded everything back on in two.

Yes, but why waste numerous hours when you can just clean install from the off, especially when it's more prone to go wrong updating.

Each to their own.

 

One guy, wow that is reason enough that no one should even think about an upgrade.

Install everything back in two hours? Good luck with that. I have over 100 different applications installed. And I am not atypical in that regard, most folks have a lot more apps than could ever be installed along with a clean install of the OS in just two hours. (A scratch install of Office 2007 and the requsite updates takes about two hours all by itself! I am certain of that since I just did one on a client's machine yesterday.)

And to clarify, it is NOT any more or less prone to go wrong. In the past with OS upgrades I would totally agree with you. But since the underlying structure of Win7 is IDENTICAL to Vista, it can safely be treated as if it were no more than a service pack.

Bottom line if you have the time, all of the installation media, configuration data etc for all of your apps, (oh, and did I menntion the TIME) by all means do a clean install. If, however, you don't have all of these, give an upgrade install a try. (And don't be stupid enough to let it set for 36 hours before you pull the plug and just do the clean install instead.)

Gary

 

:sighs: I don't believe I said or even suggested you shouldn't based on one guy, I was merely pointing out the issue one guy had, but having seen the amount of people that have suffered issues whilst upgrading, it's not the option I would choose.

So have I, but I reinstall as and when I need something, and as a clean install of Windows 7 is roughly 40 minutes if that, I can have a fully working laptop within an hour, everything else comes over the next few days of use.

I wonder why so many people are having issues then.

 

So the TOTAL time is significantly longer than a hour, isn't it? And that was my point all along. The time to complete the entire process is what matters, not just the time it takes to get the OS up. You are not done until ALL of your apps are reinstalled, whether you do it in one sitting or over several days. You still have to spend the time to do it.

After I posted my reply I went back to look and I actually have over 100 apps installed. Reviewing the configurations of each, locating the installation media (be it cd or downloading from web sites), installing all of them, and then configuring each one is a HUGE amount of time. Enough to make it at least worth an in-place upgrade a try.

I can't answer to the reason why the other folks had issues or even to the characterization of "so many people" having trouble. You have no stats to back up the insinuation that there are more people who have trouble than those who don't. But, I can tell you there are other folks here who reported having no issues at all. Let me ask, do you also recommend a clean install when a service pack comes out?

As I said before, trying an in-place upgrade does in no way preclude doing a clean install. It can save a very significant amount of time. For the vast majority of folks it takes little more than an hour or so. You can start it up, walk away, go have dinner, or let it run overnight as there were no stops for user input at all. If it doesn't work, then do the clean install.

Gary

 

Save it all to a HD like I do, saves a hell of a lot of time and bandwidth.

No, because that doesn't involve changing OS's does it.

 

Agreed, that does eliminate one of the steps. But there is still all the time to install and configure. It still adds up to a significant amount of time. Much more than just 40 minutes or even two hours.

And in this case the "OS change" is not really an "OS change" in the sense that the transitions from Win3.1 > Win95 > Win98 > Win2k > Win XP > Vista all were. In each of those cases the underlying architecture changed completely. In this case there was ZERO change. The transition from Vista to Win7 is fundamentally no different than a service pack. If you talk to anyone who is a developer in the MCSP, MSDN or beta programs and have followed the goings on while Win7 was being rolled out, they will tell you the same thing, the architecture has not changed, only the code base has.

I have been using Windows since the beta for Windows 1.0 and this is the first time I have EVER considered an in-place upgrade. And this is ONLY because the architecture didn't change at all. Folks who have said that Win7 should have been release as a Vista service pack are really right. The only reason it wasn't was because of the bad rap (undeserved, but there nonetheless) that Vista got. The only way Microsoft could put that to rest was a new OS release. Sad but true.

Look we are not going to agree on this. You think the ONLY way is to do a clean install. I think there are two possible routes, try the in-place upgrade and if it doesn't work out you can do a clean install and have wasted two hours. If it does work you've saved many hours of work.

Gary

 

Source

Like I said, each to their own.

 

We can play "he said, she said" all day. No one said EVERY upgrade goes smoothly. But you continue to imply that none do.

This from an equally credible source, CNET:

Source

There is more than one way. Say whatever you want. This conversation is over.

Gary

 

No I don't, just like I didn't claim or even imply because of one guy no one should. Upgrading has it's issues, and it's due to those issues I wouldn't use that method.

So again, each to their own.